Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder which is quiet common among young girls and women. It is considered to be one of the chief causes of sub fertility among women, affecting nearly five to ten percent women in the reproductive age. This disease is generally linked to hormonal disorders in the body, though the actual cause of the disease is yet to be discovered.
After reaching a particular age, secretion of sex hormones begins in both boys and girls. The amount of these hormones varies in different individuals. In case of females, ovaries produce three types of hormones viz. estrogen, progesterone and androgens. They are considered to be very important hormones for the regulation of menstrual cycle in girls, with the release of egg. This is a vital process that is necessary reproduction.
Hormonal imbalances inside the brain or your ovaries lead to polycystic ovary syndrome. When the level of insulin, released through pancreas, or a hormone named LH reaches to a higher amount, the ovaries start producing testosterone in an abnormal quantity thereby leading to polycystic ovary syndrome.
There is one more important cause of development of polycystic ovary disorder. Androgen, though considered as male hormone, is secreted in female body as well. When the amount of androgen released in the body is more than required then it causes trouble with the development and release of egg. In this situation, cysts, liquid filled sacs, begin to enlarge in the ovaries during the menstrual cycle in place of release of egg for ovulation. This causes missed periods or irregular menstrual cycle leading to sub fertility.
Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome do not have a normal menstrual cycle because of the high level of LH hormone in the body during the onset of menstrual cycle. Sometimes the level of LH is even higher than FSH hormone. This high amount of LH in the body leads to failure of LH surge. This leads to loss of ovulation and hence irregular periods.
The complete process causing polycystic ovary syndrome is:
- Luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone are synthesized by pituitary gland situated in brain.
- Ovaries secrete progesterone and estrogen after it receives a signal from LH and FSH.
- In normal conditions ovaries would also secrete androgen testosterone in small quantity, but its release is in higher amount in case of abnormal signals received from LH.
- Pancreas secrete insulin hormone which also regulates the secretion of androgen testosterone. In case of abnormal secretion of insulin, abnormal secretion of androgen testosterone would occur, ultimately leading to polycystic ovary syndrome.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome:
- Irregularity of menstrual cycle that may be too frequent or may occur once in a few months. In some cases it is not observed at all.
- Growth of unwanted hair over your face or some other areas of body. This situation is called hirsutism.
- Development of acne
- Continuous gain of weight which is difficult to put off.
- Occurrence of dark black patches over the back, neck or some other areas of body. This situation is called acanthosis nigricans.
Occurrence of some or all of the above stated symptoms may mean that you are suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome.
Remedy
Most of the drugs prescribed for PCOS cause side effects. It is better to make lifestyle and diet changes and natural remedies. Detox, exercises and distressing will be highly helpful in improving the body’s immunity and natural process of correcting hormonal deficiency.